Port Richmond explosion: No gas leak found, some residents able to move back home

PHILADELPHIA - Pipeline safety engineers from the Safety Division of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) say they have initiated an investigation into the apparent gas explosion in Port Richmond on New Year's Day and have since deemed some homes structurally sound enough for residents to move back in. 

About 100 firefighters, medics, chiefs and support staff responded to the 3500 block of Miller Street just before 3 a.m. for calls about an explosion in Philadelphia's Port Richmond section.

They arrived to find what appeared to be a gas explosion with two collapsed homes, several cars pushed from the street, blown out windows and debris everywhere, according to Philadelphia's Assistant Fire Chief Charles Walker. Five people were hospitalized, two with broken backs and one with a broken leg. Clean-up crews have since been working to clear massive amounts of debris.

On Wednesday, neighborhood leaders and city officials met to update residents on the investigation. Miriam Eiseman, a resident whose home was damaged by the explosion, says her home was deemed not structurally sound and has since been demolished.

"We're going to deal with the insurance, but what about just the devastation?" said Eiseman.

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Officials: 5 rushed to hospital, 2 homes completely collapse after apparent gas explosion in Port Richmond

Crews working to clean up debris after apparent gas explosion in Port Richmond

Several city officials began gathering preliminary information from residents, first responders, and utility workers immediately after arriving at scene in the early morning hours of Jan. 1. Engineers on scene isolated any affected gas infrastructure and closely monitored the temporary shut-off of natural gas to homes and buildings around the site. 

Days after the incident, officials from Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) identified two natural gas mains directly in front of the damaged buildings, but they say they have not identified a natural gas leak in the vicinity of the explosion. 

"When PGW states that they tested the entire neighborhood, all the infrastructure and there's no sign of a leak, we're saying that from that standpoint, we feel that there aren't issues that are gas related that you should be worried about when you re-enter your home," said Donal Carlton of Philadelphia's Managing Director's Office. 

However, many residents still have concerns about going back into their homes. 

"Not one person ever asked to come into the house to inspect it, yet four gentlemen said up here, everyone's safe in their home," said the boyfriend of one of the homeowners.

Investigators say they conducted exterior inspections only due to previous gas explosions and people being opposed to License and Inspection (L&I) officials entering their homes, but residents can request inside home inspections. 

"As far as structurally, we have looked at the outside of each property and seen nothing that we feel is an issue of danger or collapse," said Stephen Gallagher of L&I. 

Regardless, Eiseman says the neighborhood is overwhelmed and devastated. 

"These people, they're owed something. Somebody needs to be accountable and somebody needs to make this right," she said. 

Detailed interviews with gas company employees, first responders, and residents, will continue as the investigation into what sparked the explosion continues. Safety Division officials say they are monitoring the restoration of natural gas and electric services to customers in undamaged buildings in surrounding neighborhoods. 

The Chief Fire Marshal says they will be on scene until at least Friday, but officials say the full investigation may take up to a year or longer. The city has a section on its website that is solely dedicated to Miller Street updates, which can be accessed here.